Communication method and apparatus using network slicing

Abstract

Provided is a communication method and apparatus using network slicing. A communication method of a communication apparatus performing communication with a user equipment receives a predetermined request from the user equipment, selects a single network slice instance to be allocated to the user equipment from among a plurality of network slice instances in the communication apparatus in response to the request, selects a single network function instance to be allocated to the user equipment from among a plurality of network function instances included in the selected network slice instance. The network slice instance is in an instantiated form of a network slice that includes at least one network function and resource for providing a network service having a predetermined capability and characteristic to the user equipment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A communication method performed by AMF (access management function) device of a core network, the method comprising:
 sending a request for determining a NRF (network repository function) device to an NSSF (network slice selection function) device, the request including S-NSSAI (single network slice selection assistance information); and 
 receiving a result of determination for the NRF device from the NSSF device, 
 wherein the S-NSSAI includes: 
 (i) a slice/service type (SST) which refers an expected behavior of a network slice in terms of features and services; and 
 (ii) a slice differentiator (SD) which complements a slice/service type. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network slice is selected by the AMF device based on the S-NSSAI. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the network slice is logical network which provides a network capability and a network characteristic. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a network slice instance is selected by the NSSF device,
 wherein a network function or a service is selected by the NRF device with respect to the selected network slice instance. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the network slice instance is served to a UE (User Equipment) via an access network,
 wherein the network slice instance is network function instance and a resource for the network slice. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein a PDU (protocol data unit) session belongs to the network slice instance per PLMN (public land mobile network). 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network slice is different from features and network functions optimization. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network slice includes core network control plane and user plane network function. 
     
     
       9. A communication method performed by a NSSF (network slice selection function) device of a core network, the method comprising:
 receiving a request including a S-NSSAI (single network slice selection assistance information) from an AMF device; 
 determining the NRF device in response to the request; and 
 transmitting a result of determination for the NRF device to the AMF device, 
 wherein the S-NSSAI includes: 
 (i) a slice/service type (SST) which refers an expected behavior of a network slice in terms of features and services; and 
 (ii) a slice differentiator (SD) which complements a slice/service type. 
 
     
     
       10. A communication method performed by a UE (user equipment), the method comprising:
 sending a requested NSSAI (network slice selection assistance information) to a network including an AMF (access management function) device, the requested NSSAI including a S-NSSAI (single network slice selection assistance information); 
 obtaining an allowed NSSAI from an AMF device, 
 wherein the S-NSSAI includes 
 (i) a slice/service type (SST), which refers an expected behavior of a network slice in terms of features and services; and 
 (ii) a slice differentiator (SD) which complements a slice/service type. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the requested NSSAI includes (i) a configured-NSSAI, and (ii) an allowed-NSSAI. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein a network slice is changed at any time while the UE is registered with a PLMN (public land mobile network).